The Jamaicans have each been indicted on one count of conspiracy and attempting to commit wire fraud, 48 counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering in the state of North Dakota in the US.

Chuck said that lottery scamming poses a grave danger to national life, businesses, law abiding communities and serves to threaten peace and good order in Jamaica, especially in western parishes.

“The Jamaican Government continues to work very closely with the US authorities to ensure that this scourge is eliminated from the Jamaican landscape,” the minister said.

Lavrick Willocks, the man police said is the ring leader for the illicit scheme, was last year extradited to the US to face charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.